For the first time, the British Transport Police (BTP) will deploy a specialized drone unit at the Notting Hill Carnival to enhance public safety measures.
Equipped with a quartet of cameras, including both wide-angle and zoom capabilities, these drones can identify individuals from approximately 80 meters (260 feet) away.
“We have a thermal imaging camera,” said Insp Chris Fells, the drone operations manager. “This allows us to locate individuals even if they are in hard-to-see spots or at night.”
Anticipated to be the largest street festival in Europe, the Carnival is expected to draw around two million attendees over the weekend.
The drones will transmit images in real-time to officers stationed on the ground or back to the operations center.
“We’ve also incorporated a laser rangefinder, allowing us to tag objects from over a kilometer away and provide GPS coordinates, enabling responders to reach the exact location promptly,” explained Insp Fells.
When asked how the drones and the upgraded control room would be beneficial, Supt Dominique Ioannou remarked, “It presents challenges, but our extensive network of cameras connected to our CCTV hub plays a vital role in monitoring and ensuring public safety.”
“Our high-quality cameras significantly enhance our ability to identify individuals and facilitate bringing offenders to justice,” she added.
Marina Ahmad, chair of the London Assembly’s Police and Crime Committee, emphasized that the primary goal for the “massive” event is to ensure attendees enjoy themselves while remaining as safe as possible.
In the aftermath of last year’s Carnival, the Metropolitan Police highlighted the significant threat of a mass casualty incident due to crowd surges.
Cdr Charmain Brenyah of the police stated, “Crowd safety is a major concern during Carnival. This year, extensive measures have been implemented to tackle this issue.”
These measures will also encompass the application of live facial recognition technology, which the Met announced it would utilize earlier this week.
While the Met asserts that this technology has contributed to over 1,000 arrests for serious offenses, civil rights advocates argue that facial recognition is less reliable for women and individuals of color, potentially resulting in biased outcomes.
Matthew Phillip, CEO of Notting Hill Carnival Ltd, assured that organizers are committed to ensuring safety.
“This year, we have greatly expanded our resources, including a large crowd management team, along with additional cameras and information screens,” he said.
Some medical personnel will navigate the area on foot or by bicycle, incorporating this into their training. Peter Hollely-Robins from St John Ambulance noted, “We conduct numerous simulation exercises to prepare, working closely with the police.”
Those planning to use public transport to reach the Carnival are encouraged to confirm their routes, as numerous Tube stations in the vicinity will have closures or alterations, and bus diversions will also be in effect.
Carl Eddleston from Transport for London (TfL) advised, “Larger stations like Paddington are about a 15-minute walk away and are likely better options as they are designed to accommodate large crowds.”
TfL has also launched a dedicated website outlining the best and fastest travel options for attendees.
